School Nurse Bulletin Boards

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Hopefully Helpful School Nurse Tip: When planning a school nurse bulletin board, it is important to keep the purpose, audience, timeliness, and interactivity in mind. By doing so, the bulletin board can be a valuable tool for promoting health & wellness within the school community. I don't do bulletin boards, but if I did this post contains some really great ideas!

Things to Consider when Planning a School Nurse Bulletin Board

When planning a school nurse bulletin board, there are several things to consider in order to make the board as informative and engaging as possible for students, staff, and parents. First, consider the purpose of the bulletin board. Is it to provide general health information, promote healthy habits, or educate students about a specific health topic? Once the purpose is determined, it will be easier to choose the appropriate content for the board.

Next, consider the audience. The tone and language used on the bulletin board should be age-appropriate and easy to understand. Use visuals such as pictures, diagrams, and infographics to communicate important health information. Consider the layout of the bulletin board as well. Use headings and subheadings to organize the information and make it easy to follow.

Another important factor to consider is the timeliness of the information. Make sure the content on the bulletin board is relevant and up-to-date. Consider changing the content on a regular basis to keep the board fresh and interesting. This is the exact reason I don't do bulletin boards- I can't promise that I will have time to change it up on a regular basis.

Finally, consider incorporating interactive elements into the bulletin board. For example, include QR codes to reliable websites where students and staff can get more information, maybe have a handout or coloring page related to the health topic that students can take with them. This will encourage students to engage with the content and learn in a fun way.

Bulletin Board Examples & Suggestions from Real School Nurses!

If you're not already a member of The School Nurse Facebook groups then you should be! Join HERE and HERE by answering all of the membership questions :) Both of these groups provide members with the chance to:

Gain insights & inspiration from the personal experiences from other school nurses.
Stay up-to-date on current topics and issues related to school nursing.
Discover creative solutions to common challenges faced by school nurses.
Network with other school nurses who are members of the groups.
Find resources and recommendations for books, conferences, and other professional development opportunities.
Keep abreast of changes in policies and regulations that impact school nursing.
Get tips and advice for managing a caseload of students with diverse health needs.
Learn about best practices for promoting wellness and preventing illness in the school environment.
Be part of a supportive community of school nurses who value ongoing learning and growth.

Check out these Fb group posts if you're ready to see bulletin boards created by other school nurses!

Click the images below to view a list of all posts related to bulletin boards within each of these Fb groups! Look within the comments of these posts; many have pictures and some of links too.

https://amzn.to/4chxuCx

Check out these other popular DOASN blog posts & product links.

Advice For New School Nurses

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Hopefully Helpful School Nurse Tip: A new career as a school nurse can be overwhelming, but it can also be an exciting opportunity for growth and fulfillment. I'll post links below to relevant DOASN blog posts that will help you get started on your journey. Remember, starting a new career takes time and effort, but with dedication and perseverance, you can find a fulfilling and rewarding path.

Subscribe to the new school nurse email HERE, then check out the online, anytime 1 hour CE course created just for new school nurses HERE!

Welcome to the world of school nursing!

Hello New School Nurses!

Hi there! Welcome to your new career as a school nurse. This job is super important & involves a lot of different duties! You'll be helping to keep students, teachers, and everyone at school healthy & safe. Remember, you’ve got the skills and knowledge to handle whatever comes your way; you just might need a little extra education and you've come to the right place for that! Again, welcome to school nursing! I hope you have a great and rewarding career.

Sincerely,

Elisabeth AKA The School Nurse

FAQs FOR NEW SCHOOL NURSES

Advocacy & Support

Advocacy and support for school nurses are crucial for ensuring the health and well-being of students and school staff. School nurses play a critical role in promoting health education, providing preventative care, and managing chronic conditions. By advocating for school nurses, we can ensure that schools have the resources and support necessary to provide quality healthcare services to students.

Supporting school nurses can lead to improved academic outcomes as healthy students are better able to focus and learn. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize advocacy and support for school nurses to maintain a healthy school environment and promote student success.

RESOURCES

List of State Association of School Nurses

National Association of School Nurses

Overseas School Health Nurses Association

Mentorship & Networking

Networking and mentoring are both beneficial for school nurses, but they serve different purposes.

Networking involves building relationships with other professionals in the same field or industry, which can lead to new job opportunities, sharing of resources and ideas, and expanding one's knowledge and skills. On the other hand, mentoring involves a more personal relationship between a more experienced school nurse and a less experienced school nurse, where the mentor provides guidance, support, and advice on career development and professional growth.

While networking can be done with multiple people, mentoring typically involves a one-on-one relationship. Finding a mentor is important for new school nurses. A mentor can offer advice on how to handle difficult situations, share best practices, and provide insight into the unique challenges of working in a school setting.

In addition, having a mentor can help new school nurses build confidence and establish a professional network. Overall, finding a mentor can be a valuable resource for new school nurses as they navigate their role and responsibilities in the school healthcare setting.

School nurses can find networking & mentorship opportunities via online avenues. Check out a few online resources listed below.

RESOURCES

Google Search Results "School Nurse Mentor"

Google Search Results "School Nurse Networking"

The School Nurse Facebook Page

The School Nurse Public Group

The School Nurse Private Group

Duties & Responsibilities

School nurses have a variety of duties and responsibilities. Not only are they responsible for managing student health records, administering medications and treatments, and providing first aid and emergency care; they also may be responsible for conducting health screenings, developing and implementing health education programs, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals to ensure the overall health and well-being of students.

School nurses play a critical role in promoting a healthy school environment and supporting the academic success of students. The duties and responsibilities of each school nurse should be defined with state practice guidelines and school district needs.

RESOURCES

Legal Resources for School Nurses https://amzn.to/3D4b1JM

School Nurse Resource Manual https://amzn.to/3D8JfLT

School Nursing: Scope & Practice of Standards https://amzn.to/3O4iChM

Routines & Boundaries

Establishing a daily routine with clear boundaries (including taking a lunch break) can be essential for school nurses. Routines can help you manage your workload effectively, ensure that they have time for self-care, and prevent burnout.

Remember, you are setting a healthy example for your students and staff too. Would you encourage them to skip lunch daily or eat while working? If not, then you need to prioritize your lunch break too. Taking your lunch break can help you recharge, attend to their personal needs, and ultimately provide better care to students. It is important to prioritize self-care and establish healthy habits to maintain overall well-being and provide the best possible care to those in need.

RESOURCES

Boundaries

Boundaries at Work

From Burnout to Purpose

Organization & Decor

Having an organized school nurse's office is crucial for several reasons:

It ensures that all necessary medical supplies and equipment are easily accessible and readily available when needed. This can be critical in emergency situations where time is of the essence.
An organized office helps to maintain a clean and sanitary environment, minimizing the risk of infections or the spread of illness. It can also help to streamline administrative tasks, such as record-keeping and inventory management, allowing nurses to spend more time providing care to patients.
An organized nurse's office is essential for providing efficient, effective, and high-quality healthcare services.

School nurses spend a lot of time at work, take the time to create a space that is functional and makes you feel good. An aesthetically pleasing office space is important for several reasons:

It sets the tone; a visually appealing workspace can impress students & staff, helping to create a professional and trustworthy image for your school.
Creating a positive and comfortable work environment can lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction.
A well-designed office space can also reflect the values and culture of your school and your professional values as well.

RESOURCES

Funding & Budgets & Supplies

Public school budgets are the financial plans that outline how funds will be allocated to various school programs and services. The funding for school nurse staff is typically included in the overall budget and varies depending on factors such as the size of the school district, the number of schools, and the student population. Funding can come from a variety of sources, including federal and state grants, local property taxes, and fundraising efforts.

School nurse staff play an important role in promoting student health and wellness, and it is essential that schools allocate adequate funding to ensure that students have access to quality healthcare services.

One way to provide quality is to have the supplies you need & to know where (& how) to purchase those supplies. You'll want to find out what your school year budget is and what you are required to purchase from that budget & from where you can purchase items.

The easiest way for me to get supplies is to place a purchase order with the assigned person at my school district through our Amazon Business account! This account offers no tax and quick (usually two day), free shipping! You can view all of my supply lists HERE.

OTHER RESOURCES